>From:
>Date: Thu, 11 Aug 1994 08:38:28 -0800
[This example of a viable, valuable school program is brought to you as a
public service by GLAAD/SFBA's Project 21, a campaign for educational
equity. Project 21, GLAAD/SFBA, 1360 Mission St. #200, San Francisco CA
94103; 415-861-2244; email GLAADP21@aol.com or jessea@uclink2.berkeley.edu]
Gay/Lesbian and Bisexual Youth: An Invisible Minority
by Kevin R. Gogin, MFCC, San Francisco Unified School District,
Support Services for Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Youth,
School Health Programs, 415-749-3400
"Is there something wrong with me? People tell me that there is-- but
this is the only way I know how to be."
"Oh, people call me names--and say pretty disgusting things to me; I just
try to ignore them. It's their problem."
The above are just two of the comments I have heard from the young men
and women I have met since October of 1990, when the San Francisco Unified
School District instituted a program for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth
and their families. And while these two comments alone may underscore the
need for Support Services for Gay and Lesbian Youth, the program provides a
much broader service to faculty, staff, and families of the school
district.
Who are Sexual Minority Youth?
During pre-adolescence, while many young people are becoming aware of their
budding sexuality, and relishing the novelty of taking notice of the
opposite sex, there exists a group of young people who are frightened by
the same feelings their classmates find so exciting. This latter group of
students, often called sexual minority youth, are gaining a realization
that they are "different."
Although sexual minority youth may not be able to attach the terms "gay,"
"lesbian," or "bisexual" to themselves, their feelings of attraction to
members of the same sex can cause confusion, isolation, and fear.
Discovery of their feelings might cause them to be the victims of verbal or
physical violence; they may be shunned by former friends. Worse still,
these young people may also be ostracized from their families--told they
are unwanted and unloved.
It is estimated that roughly ten percent of the general population is
homosexual. While research shows that gay, lesbian, and bisexual people do
not choose their orientation any more than heterosexual people do, sexual
minority youth may fear that they are to blame for their loneliness,
oppression, or confusion. Naturally, this causes a greater sense of
isolation. This isolation may in turn lead to "at risk" behavior which may
include running away from home, dropping out of school, or engaging in
various forms of substance abuse. Further, it is thought that nearly one
third of all teen suicides are by gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth.
WHY ARE gay, lesbian, and bisexual YOUTH CONSIDERED AN INVISIBLE MINORITY?
Because they look like any other student. We may never recognize the
isolation or loneliness they feel. Further, we may never witness the
verbal and physical harassment they experience. Their fear of discovery,
and the secret discrimination they experience make them invisible.
WHY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR GAY AND LESBIAN YOUTH?
All students within the San Francisco Unified School District have the
right to an education in a safe and nurturing environment. Support
Services for Gay and Lesbian Youth sends the clear message that ALL
students hold this right.
Further, Support Services staff hope to sensitize and educate
administration, faculty, and students that we live in a multicultural
society which includes gay, lesbian, and bisexual people who have the same
rights as any other population within society.
WHAT SUPPORT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE/
Support Services for Gay and Lesbian Youth staff offer inservices to
faculty and counseling departments. Support Services staff also work
closely with the designated Gay/Lesbian Sensitive Adults, who are present
at each of the middle schools and high schools. These skill-building
sessions enable school staff to assess behaviors that may place students at
risk for suicide, school failure, or premature sexual experimentation.
Support Services also provides classroom presentations to students on name
calling, diversity, and sexual orientation. Resources on these issues are
also offered to faculty throughout the school district.
The assessment of individual students, and consultations with school
counselors, teachers, or designated Gay/Lesbian Sensitive Adults is
provided.
Finally, Support Services offers resources to, and confidential sessions
with, students and families around issues of sexuality. We hope to
eliminate the isolation that leads to the painful need for students to
escape through running away, dropping out of school, or using drugs, all of
which could increase exposure to sexually transmitted diseases and HIV
infection.
In short, the services are designed to address the barriers to education
that are unique to sexual minority youth. If not given the same
opportunities as other adolescents to accept their sexuality, gay, lesbian
and bisexual youth are more likely than their heterosexual peers to
-experience social isolation and oppression, which may lead to depression,
and potential suicidal gestures,
-be exposed to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection,
-develop maladaptive coping mechanisms such as substance abuse,
-drop out of school.
If you have questions or a request for assistance, please call:
Support Services for Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Youth
San Francisco Unified School Health Programs Department, 415-7549-3400